ORIGINAL RESEARCH
Geochemical Evolution of Antimony Content
in Shallow Groundwater After Ecological
Restoration Project in Xikuangshan,
Hunan Province, China
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1
North China Institute of Science and Technology, Hebei, 065201, P.R. China
2
Institute of Disaster Prevention, Hebei, 065201, P.R. China
3
Observation and Research Station of Lengshuijiang Mining Ecological Environmental Monitoring,
Ministry of Natural Resources, Changsha, Hunan 410004, China
Submission date: 2023-05-22
Final revision date: 2023-06-29
Acceptance date: 2023-07-08
Online publication date: 2023-10-02
Publication date: 2023-11-10
Corresponding author
Chunming Hao
North China Institute of Science and Technology, 065201, Hebei, China
Pol. J. Environ. Stud. 2023;32(6):5785-5797
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ABSTRACT
The ecological restoration project of Xikuangshan (XKS) effectively reduces environmental
pollution. However, the hydrogeochemical factors and mechanisms leading to the evolution of antimony
(Sb) content in shallow groundwater after ecological restoration have not been studied. In order to
investigate the geochemical evolution of Sb content in shallow groundwater, 64 samples were collected
before and after the ecological restoration project. The results showed Sb concentrations in shallow
groundwater before and after ecological restoration were 0.006-39.160 mg/L (mean 3.501 mg/L),
and 0.003-17.326 mg/L (mean 2.931 mg/L), respectively. The high Sb content before ecological
restoration was mainly caused by the oxidation of Sb2S3, dissolution of carbonate and silicate minerals,
evaporation/concentration effects, and cation exchange. The weaker oxidation of Sb2S3 and effective
cleaning of the arsenic alkali residue reduced the Sb content in shallow groundwater after ecological
restoration. This study provides a basis for understanding the effects of ecological restoration projects
on the evolution of Sb content in shallow groundwater, and provides a new idea for solving groundwater
pollution and promoting groundwater resources management.